New Tech to Drive Hernia Repair Market Over $4 Billion by 2012

New York,
September 16, 2010—Medical device market research publisher Kalorama
Information believes rapid adoption of biosynthetic mesh and other minimally
invasive methods of hernia repair will increase revenues for manufacturers of
hernia repair specialty equipment. According to a recent report, a plethora of
risk factors, including old age, previous surgery, obesity and smoking, coupled
with prevalent healthcare options will increase the number of expected
operations, creating a $4.1 billion market by 2012.

Biosynthetic mesh procedures provide benefits such as better
a patient experience, greater resistance to infections and rapid tissue growth.
These meshes, made up of silicone, rubber, polypropylene, or
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), create a protective layer that comes in contact
with the intestine. A recent perfection of the T-shaped prosthesis, which is
composed of silicone and polypropylene, reduces the development of incisional
hernias, often caused by previous surgery. Kalorama reports the current average
for incisional hernia cases is 15-20%, while the use of T-shaped prosthesis
will reduce the amount to 3-4%.

Former developments include the laparoscopic repair method,
widely adopted by 2000, which reduces invasiveness by patching hernias from the
inside. Although once widely criticized for its high recurrence rate,
continuing development of this procedure has led to a current near-zero rate of
recurrence.

“Biomesh and no-recurrence laparoscopy are not just small
improvements, they are significant innovations,” says Kalorama Information Publisher,
Bruce Carlson. “There is a ton of innovation occurring in this market to meet
the increasing demand for better quality.”

High-risk individuals with factors such as old age, previous
surgery, obesity and smoking, who may have been previously unqualified, will
have access to insurance through the U.S. Healthcare Reform; this is expected
to increase the number of hernia repair operations. Ethicon, Lifecell, W. L.
Gore, Atrium and several other industry players are preparing new products for
this growing market.